Egypt's New Budget Cuts Fuel Subsidies by 40.5 Percent in FY 2019/20

Source: Ahram online 4/16/2019, Location: Africa

A finance ministry report on Egypt’s new budget (2019/20) showed that fuel subsidies will be reduced by EGP 36.112 billion (40 percent) in the new fiscal year, Finance Minister Mohamed Mait said in a review of the 2019/20 budget before parliament on Tuesday.

The report said the government decided to reduce fuel subsidies from EGP 89.075 in 2018/19’s budget to EGP 52.963 billion in the 2019/20 budget.

“This means that there will be a 40.5 percent cut in subsidies – or 35.476 billion – allocated to fuel,” said the report, indicating that the government took this step upon the grounds that the price of oil stands at $68 per barrel.

As for electricity subsidies, the report indicated that they will be phased out by 75 percent in the new budget.

“Financial allocations to electricity subsidies will be reduced by 12 billion, or from 16 billion to 4 billion.”

Finance Minister Maeet and Minister of Planning Hala El-Saeed delivered statements on Egypt’s new budget and development plans before parliament on Tuesday. The statements were referred to parliament’s budget and planning committee for review and discussion.